Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $120 
For a wine that hasn’t been fined or filtered, it’s deeply inky and glossy in the glass and the floral aspect is super-pretty. In addition to red rose, plum and boysenberry aromatics, classic Bridge Pa graphite and iron filings also unveil on the nose and palate. They’re cloaked in bouquet garni herb notes, blueberry and red fruits, earthy notes and an unbelievably supple yet muscular structure in terms of mouthfeel. Growing on a very low vigour rootstock and pruned to just one cane, meaning precious little was produced, so it’s not likely to be on the market long. Stunning stuff.
